Putting the cart before the horse
At work, I’m doing a lot of stuff that doesn’t require a lot of mental focus, so I’ve been listening to podcasts to make the day go by faster. Much of that listening has been the Writing Excuses hosted by authors (and web cartoonist) Brandon Sanderson, Dan Wells, Howard Tayler, and Mary Robinette Kowal. I love this podcast because not only are the hosts published authors with loads of industry experience, they give their knowledge of the craft and the business in 15-20 minute practical chunks.
But the problem of listening to all this expertise is that I start thinking about things that come after the book is finished and polished and ready to be submitted. Things like querying agents, things like “I should probably have a website”, and “I think I need business cards if I ever go to conferences,” and also things like fancasting the main characters in my book via tumblr.
Then I remind myself (several times a day) that I have to actually finish my novel first. And then-way before I can consider submitting to an agent-I have to revise it. HEAVY revisions. Finish first, than revise. That has to be my mantra for the next couple of months.
Didn't do so good on my word count goal this week, but I have managed to write something every day for the last 30 days. Woo!
But the problem of listening to all this expertise is that I start thinking about things that come after the book is finished and polished and ready to be submitted. Things like querying agents, things like “I should probably have a website”, and “I think I need business cards if I ever go to conferences,” and also things like fancasting the main characters in my book via tumblr.
Then I remind myself (several times a day) that I have to actually finish my novel first. And then-way before I can consider submitting to an agent-I have to revise it. HEAVY revisions. Finish first, than revise. That has to be my mantra for the next couple of months.
Didn't do so good on my word count goal this week, but I have managed to write something every day for the last 30 days. Woo!